Nosy Coworkers

Lounmoun

I eat most of my meals at home and don't have co-workers. I eat whatever I feel like.
My teenage dd asked what was so stinky today because I cooked fish and zucchini noodles and then went around spraying air freshener. It wasn't that bad. I just rolled my eyes and told her to keep it away from the food.

A lot of people think you have to eat certain things to lose weight. Enjoy your spaghetti and pity them because they will probably do something miserable.

PWRLFTR1

You should have just said, "Yeah, its going great!" and kept moving.

darrenbeckworth

Eat well, stay healthy, and dance on their graves!

bikecheryl

AnnPT77 wrote: »

My strategy? Thick skin.

Remodeling other people's behavior is impossible: A losing proposition.

Managing my own reactions is doable, including moderating the rather natural reaction to be annoyed when some idiot is rude. I don't want others' silly remarks affecting my mood, so I've worked at just letting them roll by. There are limits, but they're pretty far out there now.

In the workplace or with other people with whom I need to continue civil social relations, unless the remark was far over the line, I'd strive to act as I would if the person was just making pointless small talk, and - as social oil - reply in that same vein.

"How's your diet going?" "Great, thanks."

"Another salad, of course!" "Love me some veggies!"

"You're getting soooo skinny!" "My doctor and I are very happy."

"Are you gonna stay on that diet forever?" "Diet? (Shrug) I eat what I enjoy."

Etc. Eventually, my internal reaction tends to settle down to the same neutral emotional level. As a bonus, people who like to needle others sometimes get bored with trying to provoke someone who doesn't seem to notice, and they lay off.

If I can manage it, I want to build a reputation as the person who's calm, civil, well-adjusted, and who takes the high road when others go low. Zinger reactions are more fun, and I sometimes fail myself and go there, but I try to stick to my longer term goal of being the steady person. In that respect, it's kind of like weight loss: Trading off short-term self-indulgence for a longer-term goal.

YMMV.

Yep - exactly! I try to take the high road.

I've found most of the more annoying comments stem from ignorance and you can't fix stupid so I just ignore it.

endermako

When people at work talk crap about my tacos. I let them know I eat whatever I want. it's not their business

seltzermint555

aggiumma wrote: »

Honestly I would just respond "yes, it's going well, thanks" and move on. Why engage with someone who is being rude?

I agree with this.

I am often too wordy though and I'd probably say something like "DUDE you don't even know...I measure every last thing that went into this spaghetti and it fits into today... You don't even want to know. I'm like a freaking scientist with this stuff, I got this"

positivepowers

MzManiak wrote: »

Every time they see me eating anything, they feel the need to say something. Sometimes it's not even that they are commenting on it, or giving opinions... they will just say what it is I'm eating.
"Oh, a banana and almonds, huh?"
"Oh, you're eating a salad."
"Oh, you got your protein shake."
Like, why? Why do you care? Why do you feel the need to say anything, especially when it holds no value?
*sigh* whatever. Can't choose your coworkers. Or your family.

I get a lot of these comments too. I hate it when people look at my food anyway. I don't stick my face in their food and comment, it's rude. I usually give them the attention they deserve - I ignore them. If they repeat it I'd probably give them "the look" and tell them how rude they are.

holytricoli

I don't even think that her comment needs a comeback, the best response is continuing to do what works for you. Actions speak louder than words and your results will prove that you are on the right track.

DarianJP

stanmann571 wrote: »

DarianJP wrote: »

People will always have an opinion. I was eating baby carrots “plain” at work the other day and my coworker said, “Ew! How are you eating those plain. You’ve gotta have some dip or something with those girl.” lol And I told her carrots were the perfect snack because I could eat endless amounts of them by themselves because they’re a little sweet, a little savory and crunchy. Everyone’s a critic. Haha

Funny, that's one of the things that I did when gaining weight....

Dang, you must of ate a ton of carrots if you gained weight off them. Lol Maybe it was over eating in general that caused your weight gain. I’ve got a big appetite and am in maintenance so being able to eat a lot of something low calorie (ie. carrots), helps me stick to my calorie goal and keeps me satisfied.

seltzermint555

DarianJP wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

DarianJP wrote: »

People will always have an opinion. I was eating baby carrots “plain” at work the other day and my coworker said, “Ew! How are you eating those plain. You’ve gotta have some dip or something with those girl.” lol And I told her carrots were the perfect snack because I could eat endless amounts of them by themselves because they’re a little sweet, a little savory and crunchy. Everyone’s a critic. Haha

Funny, that's one of the things that I did when gaining weight....

Dang, you must of ate a ton of carrots if you gained weight off them. Lol Maybe it was over eating in general that caused your weight gain. I’ve got a big appetite and am in maintenance so being able to eat a lot of something low calorie (ie. carrots), helps me stick to my calorie goal and keeps me satisfied.

I love baby carrots and eat them all the time, but I have to admit this was one of those things when I first started counting calories I was thinking they had almost negative cals and was surprised to realize a whole bag of baby carrots has way more calories & sugar than eating a whole cucumber or a bunch of celery.

Not like carrots are some super high calorie bad for you snack of course! haha They are great.

Sharon_C

OMG. All. The. Time.

"Is that diet food?" Um, no. It's regular food.

"Do you want M&Ms?" No, thank you. Walk away from desk, come back to M&Ms on desk.

"What are you eating now?" Just food.

"There's cake in the kitchen. Are you going to eat cake?" No, thank you. (Thankfully no cake showed up on my desk)

"So it's your birthday. Are you going to ditch the diet you're on?" I'm not on a diet. This is how I eat all the time.

Meanwhile, this is what my cube mate eats before noon: 4 Clif bars (she saw me eating one once and she thinks it's diet food so she eats 4 a day), a whole bag of M&Ms (not a small bag), sugar cubes (yes, she brings sugar cubes in and eats them), a very large piece of cake, a whole can of apricots (I can't figure that one out).

Luckily I have some co-workers who totally get it and we hang together.

amgreenwell

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Most people have no idea how to go about telling someone "good job" and moving on with their life. I deal with weird comments all the time from co workers, family and even friends. Mostly I don't comment back at all b/c I don't really give a ** what they say. It is hardest at work. Just know that most people are trying to be complimentary. Secondly, just don't let it get to you. Keep doing what you are doing for yourself. You don't have to justify pasta or anything else to anyone. EAT whatever you want and live your life. Coworkers be damned!

MelanieCN77

There's nothing like seeing someone else taking care of their business to send some others into a flap of feelings of regret and inferiority for not handling their own. Some respond by taking action, some by presuming/hoping you'll fail and being hyper alert to any suggestion of such.

Point being - what she said says more about her than you.

ahamm002

Many people who are eating unhealthy food feel insecure when they see someone eating healthy foods. That's why they make comments! It's amazing how annoyed people get sometimes. I guess it's harder to enjoy pigging out when the guy next to you is eating a salad.

fb47

I remember eating a cadbury cream egg on my last cut and someone told me "Aren't you supposed to be losing weight?", I simply replied "I am and this egg won't stop me from losing weight". My coworker couldn't understand.

seltzermint555

crazyravr wrote: »

Mikkimeow wrote: »

I was heating up my meal prep a few minutes ago, and I had a coworker walk by me stirring my plate of spaghetti. She looks down and says, "Oh, I see the diet is going well!" chuckles and walks away. I simply sighed.

My meal prep is below. It fits my macros, keeps me full, and frankly, why should I give up pasta to lose weight when I can eat it and still be at a deficit????

I've found that since my weight loss has become noticeable, the comments have started. It is almost since I started caring about what goes into my body, other people feel the need to also. Many are well meaning, "Oh I see you got the salad!" or " You are looking great, keep it up, don't quit" What many don't realize is that I have been at this for quite some time, and your perceptions on pasta aren't going to persuade me to eat like a rabbit. Good luck with whatever weight loss fad you try this month.

How often do you guys deal with this? What are some things you hear about what you eat/ your lifestyle that just get under your skin?

I would say that your calories are off here
How did you measure that 1/2" circle and how large was your zucchini? Also did you make your home made marinara and added up all the ingredients?

Maybe thats what she meant

Its your life and your weight loss journey. Move and carry on.

Meh, I highly doubt that is what her coworker meant.

I'd imagine the coworker thinks pasta = carbs = fattening aka "BUT that is not diet food".

glassyo

seltzermint555 wrote: »

crazyravr wrote: »

Mikkimeow wrote: »

I was heating up my meal prep a few minutes ago, and I had a coworker walk by me stirring my plate of spaghetti. She looks down and says, "Oh, I see the diet is going well!" chuckles and walks away. I simply sighed.

My meal prep is below. It fits my macros, keeps me full, and frankly, why should I give up pasta to lose weight when I can eat it and still be at a deficit????

I've found that since my weight loss has become noticeable, the comments have started. It is almost since I started caring about what goes into my body, other people feel the need to also. Many are well meaning, "Oh I see you got the salad!" or " You are looking great, keep it up, don't quit" What many don't realize is that I have been at this for quite some time, and your perceptions on pasta aren't going to persuade me to eat like a rabbit. Good luck with whatever weight loss fad you try this month.

How often do you guys deal with this? What are some things you hear about what you eat/ your lifestyle that just get under your skin?

I would say that your calories are off here
How did you measure that 1/2" circle and how large was your zucchini? Also did you make your home made marinara and added up all the ingredients?

Maybe thats what she meant

Its your life and your weight loss journey. Move and carry on.

Meh, I highly doubt that is what her coworker meant.

I'd imagine the coworker thinks pasta = carbs = fattening aka "BUT that is not diet food".

Totally agree.

Ebony_Kitty

When people comment about what I eat or drink in a negative way, I respond with snarkiness now. While out to a working dinner a few weeks ago, I ordered both a salad and soup along with my entree, and a male coworker said I don’t need that much food. I replied I had run 10 miles earlier in the day and I’d invite him to go with me tomorrow for my 5 miler but I didn’t want to slow my pace down for him.

I am amazed at how often I am criticized for drinking a Diet Coke while they are pounding beer or cocktails all night- my line of work forces me to socialize with coworkers over meals quite often unfortunately. I never judge someone for what they eat or drink- I really just don’t give a crap.

Sharon_C

Just imagine the reverse of this. What if we approached our unhealthy co-workers and said, "You're eating that? You know that's why you're fat, right?" Or "You'll never lose weight eating like that."

They would be outraged (and rightfully so). So why do they think its okay to say something about what we eat?

kellyjellybellyjelly

seltzermint555 wrote: »

crazyravr wrote: »

Mikkimeow wrote: »

I was heating up my meal prep a few minutes ago, and I had a coworker walk by me stirring my plate of spaghetti. She looks down and says, "Oh, I see the diet is going well!" chuckles and walks away. I simply sighed.

My meal prep is below. It fits my macros, keeps me full, and frankly, why should I give up pasta to lose weight when I can eat it and still be at a deficit????

I've found that since my weight loss has become noticeable, the comments have started. It is almost since I started caring about what goes into my body, other people feel the need to also. Many are well meaning, "Oh I see you got the salad!" or " You are looking great, keep it up, don't quit" What many don't realize is that I have been at this for quite some time, and your perceptions on pasta aren't going to persuade me to eat like a rabbit. Good luck with whatever weight loss fad you try this month.

How often do you guys deal with this? What are some things you hear about what you eat/ your lifestyle that just get under your skin?

I would say that your calories are off here
How did you measure that 1/2" circle and how large was your zucchini? Also did you make your home made marinara and added up all the ingredients?

Maybe thats what she meant

Its your life and your weight loss journey. Move and carry on.

Meh, I highly doubt that is what her coworker meant.

I'd imagine the coworker thinks pasta = carbs = fattening aka "BUT that is not diet food".

Totally!

I usually don't even notice what my coworkers eat unless it smells really good & then I inquire to what they're eating.

Usually the only comments I get from coworkers is about my food scale or when I bring a big salad to work (the one salad fit in a Blue Bunny gallon ice cream container).